The Sarasota-Manatee area is a water-short area and the study
was undertaken in 1963 in order to determine the storage capability
and discharge rates of the Myakka water shed. It was found
that many of the streams of the water shed were virtually dry
during part of every year. However, the basins of the Myakka
lakes, through which the river flows offer some storage potential,
that if properly developed would provide a continuance drift of
about seven million gallons of water per day of good quality water
that would be high in color and temperature upon occasion. With
reasonable treatment some of this water could be used to meet
the present needs of the rapidly expanding coastal areas. (PDF contains 40 pages.
